The Folly Kids’ Series is a collection of national and international traveling presenters who produce quality, curriculum-based performances. Age-appropriate performances engage students in topics including children’s literacy, STEM, and social-emotional wellness. Students, parents, and school groups alike will enjoy programs which inspire and entertain, all from the stage of Kansas City’s most historic arts venue!
With themes such as language arts, social sciences, music, and science we’re certain you should be able to find a show or two to fit a variety of curriculum standards. As with previous seasons, our series capacity is on a first-come-first-serve basis!
To order field trip tickets for groups of 20 or more, please call the box office at 816-474-4444 or complete the Kids’ Series Order Form.
Title I schools have an opportunity to have ticket and bus transportation costs covered by supporters of the Folly Theater (subject to fund availability).
Show Duration: Approximately 60 minutes, no intermission
Performance location:
Folly Theater
300 W 12th St
Kansas City, MO
*Special group rate: $8 each for groups of 20 or more, plus 1 free adult with each 10 paid student tickets.
Rob Schneider is an accomplished actor, comedian, screenwriter and director. A stand-up comic and veteran of the award-winning NBC sketch comedy series Saturday Night Live, Schneider has gone on to a successful career in films, television and continues his word-wide standup tour.
Join Central Standard and Vocal Standard, two internationally acclaimed barbershop choruses, for their annual holiday show on Saturday, December 12, 2026, at the historic Folly Theater in downtown Kansas City. […]
The Friends presents a fascinating program in collaboration with the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center. An exceptional cast of seven artists, including harpsichordist Kenneth Weiss, one of today’s foremost […]
THE MUSICAL COMEDY THAT CELEBRATES YOUR FAVORITE HOLIDAY MOVIES. The Unauthorized Hallmark(ish) Parody Musical tells the story of Holly, an overworked Big City executive who returns to her quirky small hometown […]
“Cows that type? Hens on strike! Whoever heard of such a thing!” Farmer Brown cries.
When his granddaughter Jenny comes for a visit, Farmer Brown declares the farm a tech-free zone. He takes her laptop in the cold barn with the shivering cows who use her computer to type messages requesting blankets.
“No way,” replies Farmer Brown. “No blankets!”
So the cows go on strike and the chickens join them in solidarity. No blankets? No milk! No eggs!
Will Farmer Brown give in to the animals’ demands? Will Jenny get her computer back? Find out in a hilariously moving musical about negotiation and compromise, based on the Caldecott Honor Book by Doreen Cronin and Betsy Lewin.
Approximate Running Time: 60 Minutes
Recommended Ages: Grades K through 4
Sir Stephen Hough brings to the Art of the Piano a recital built around the idea of the Klavierstück, the short piano piece in its many forms. From Schubert and […]
Michael Cavanaugh is the new voice of the American Rock & Roll Songbook and a charismatic performer and musician made famous for his piano/lead vocals in the Broadway musical Movin’ Out. […]
Espressivo! Piano Quartet unites distinguished chamber musicians from two generations: violinist Jaime Laredo and cellist Sharon Robinson, long celebrated for their work in the Kalichstein-Laredo-Robinson Trio, join pianist Anna Polonsky […]
Experience the spellbinding stories and colorful characters of beloved author and artist Eric Carle in a whole new way, with The Very Hungry Caterpillar Interactive Show!
Created by Jonathan Rockefeller, this innovative stage brings to life four Eric Carle stories, through 45 magical, handcrafted puppets, world-class puppeteering and lively original musical that invites your little one to play along with their favorite stories!
Along with The Very Hungry Caterpillar, The Very Hungry Caterpillar Interactive Show includes three additional Carle classics. Audiences will get up and move with From Head to Toe; dream and sing with The Very Quiet Cricket; and play along mischievous shapes of Little Cloud.
We invite you to take an unforgettable, hour-long journey full of color, wit, imagination – and one VERY HUNGRY CATERPILLAR.
Described by NPR Music as “one of the most acclaimed jazz artists of his generation, a trumpeter of deep expressive resources and a composer of kaleidoscopic vision,” Ambrose Akinmusire has made a […]
Swan Lake: Symphony of Lights” is the landmark new production of the upcoming season.
Tchaikovsky’s iconic score opens the door to an entirely reimagined world: vivid light design, illuminated costumes, and world-class dancers from around the globe transform the classic ballet into a mesmerizing visual experience.
This is more than a performance — it’s an immersion into a story of love and magic, told through light, movement, and music. Each act unfolds like a living art installation, where timeless tradition meets bold contemporary design.
Discover Swan Lake in a whole new light — a legend reborn with breathtaking imagery and emotional power.
For groups of 20 or more, tickets are $8 each. One (1) complimentary adult reservation may be issued per every 10 student tickets purchased. Complete the Kids’ Series Order Form.
Many performances sell out months in advance we encourage school groups to book as early as possible.
Funding may be available by Folly grant to Title 1 schools (subject to funding availability). Complete the online form and a representative will contact you.
If you have parents/chaperones that will need to acquire their own ticket separate from your order, they can do so by individual purchase on the ticket purchase page. If this is of interest, we can add the name of the school in the checkout path for these individuals to select to assist with seating efforts . Please arrange with us.
Visa, Master Card, American Express forms of payment are accepted. (Credit/Debit card processing fee: $2.50/order.)
Payment may be completed by phone, mail, or in person:
Folly Business Office
114 W. 11th St.
Suite 150
Kansas City, MO 64105
816-474-4444
Payment is due no later than 30 days prior to the performance and may be required sooner to lock in reservations for popular performances. When a group books a performance online or over the phone, the box office will email an invoice with reservation details. All sales are final with no refunds, cancellations, or exchanges. If a performance is canceled by the tour or the Folly Theater, schools will have the option to move into another kids’ series show or a refund will be processed.
For individual ticket sales, select “print at home” and you will receive your tickets directly to your email. Will call can be picked up at the box office a maximum of 1 hour before the performance. For large groups, tickets are not issued for Folly Kids’ Series performances. Seating is determined by Folly Staff and ushers based on an established seating map.
For homeschool/parent group not attending with a school, check-in at the Box Office when entering the building for your selected performance, and seating location will be arranged based off open locations on the map. If you have any special accommodation needs for accessibility, these must be provided in advance.
Unfortunately, the Folly does not have facilities available for school groups to each lunch on site. We can provide restroom facilities and provide suggestions for outdoor locations for lunch.
Due to the varying weather policies of area schools and districts planning to attend a matinee, the Folly will attempt to reschedule a performance or gladly transfer a reservation to an alternate performance within the school year to the best of our availability. However, refunds will only be issued in the case of a performance cancellation arranged by the Folly Theater.
Receive up to date information about the Folly Kids Series by following us on Facebook or signing up for Folly Kids’ Series email notifications.
The Folly Kids Series is generously brought to you by the Missouri Arts Council, National Endowment for the Arts, Theater League, R.A. Long Foundation, Ronald D. Deffenbaugh Foundation, Mark Edelman Theater Fund, Children’s Mercy, Oppenstein Brothers Foundation, Commerce Bank, Trustee, The Estate of Joan Hubbard, Variety KC, and UMB Bank.
